3-017-019 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Royal Visit to Cambridge: the boat procession on the Cam in honour of the Prince and Princess of Wales, 1864. 'In the grounds of St. John's College...was one of the most brilliant scenes...namely, the marshalling of the University boats in honour of the Royal visitors...the whole scene looking exceedingly animated under the afternoon sun, and enlivened by the gay flags and flowers with which the fairy flotilla was decorated...Every other boat bore its distinguishing flag, and all displayed the national standard of Denmark. A man on Clare Bridge waved a flag, and each boat as it passed under "put on a spurt," which was kept up vigorously until they reached a part of the river where there was space enough for a turn. The Prince and Princess of Wales...watched this animated pageant from the banks, and when the boats returned and formed a sort of bridge across the river, the men tossing their oars and cheering lustily, their Royal Highnesses bowed repeatedly, evidently delighted...The Prince and the distinguished Doctors of Law who accompanied him wore their scarlet robes. Three cheers for the Queen, and three more for the Prince and Princess of Wales, followed, and then the boats all paddled away in the order in which they had advanced'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.